Posted By:
barrysloateWhen I did auctions I made every effort to offer single lots when I could. With regard to REA's auction there are simply too many lots to break the E94 set into thirty single cards.
We've had many debates about these groups banding together and I have mixed feelings about them. I certainly think putting it in print on a public chatboard is a slippery slope. If I had consigned that E94 set I would be calling the auction house and making them aware of it.
I still have no idea whether there are any legal issues with people grouping to keep the price down. It may very well be perfectly legal, but I'm not sure. That said, the market is broad and even if ten people form a group, you can be sure there will be an eleventh guy out there keeping the price honest. But I do fully understand that most collectors may only need or can afford a few cards so in that spirit forming a group makes good sense.